THE PRICE OF FOOD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2423, 31 March 1915, Page 6

THE PRICE OF FOOD

♦ QUESTION OF CONTROL CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS THE PROBLEM NO SOLUTION REACHED A discussion concerning tlie price of food occurred at the City Council last evening. The Finance Committee reported that they had fully discussed the , question of framing a resolution regarding the increased price of necessities, for . submission to the Government, and they , recommended that the following resolution should be adopted and communicated to the Prime Minister:— "The council is of opinion that the great hardship experienced by the consumers on account of high prices arising out of the war should ' he relieved by an export duty on ' foodstuffs, the proceeds to be used to lessen the cost of living to the consumers." The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), as chairman of the committee, moved that the recommendation should be adopted. He said that ho, had figures which showed that there had been but little riso in food prices. Councillors dissented; There were, he continued, things which were pressing hardly upon the people, but they were mostly things which were produced in New Zealand. He did not see much difficulty in regulating the price of locally-produced commodities. It would bo infinitely better for any Government to secure the people's food at a normal price than to have industrial disturbances from one end of the country to the other, and claims for increased wages. Councillor 35. Tregear moved that the recommendation should bo disagreed with, because the subject was outside the scope of the council. There was 110 doubt, lie said, that the price of food had risen considerably. An export duty was a highly undesirable tiling, as those who sold for local consumption would escape the impost. Matter ef Fixed Prices. Councillor M. F. Luckie said that among the considerations against the ■ proposal was the fact that even if Parliament gave it effect-as soon as it met, the scheme would strike the off season, and bo unproductive. Apart from that, why should the city businesses, etc., escape, and only the exporter be taxed? It seemed absurd that this proposal was the result of the serious consideration of the Finance Committee. Councillor It. Fletcher said that the only thing was for the Government to fix a maximum price at which food , could be sold. Councillor J. Godber: Could the Government force them to sell? Councillor Fletcher: The Government can do anything. "There is absolute exploitation on the part of these people who give £200 or . £300 to the Patriotic Fund and next . day make double the amount out of . food," added Councillor Fletcher. Councillor E. Tregear: Ten times tlio amount. Councillor Fletcher moved that the report should bo referred back to the committee. Councillor Hindmarsh said that it was nonsensical to charge the committee witli Laving failed to do things which were outside its order of reference. Also, it was useless talking in generalities about exploitation and taxation. Ho believed in an export duty on mutton. An arrangement could be made with the freezing companies regarding a particular price to the butcliers; in fact, they could be prohibited from charging more than a particular price, and compensated out of the funds raised by the export duty. Proposal "Referred Back." Councillor L. M'Keuzie said that the | matter "was one of supply and demand, and that if tho prices were obtainable in 'England wo must be prepared to pay them here. There would he dangers in an export duty. Councillor W. H. P. Barber expressed the opinion that a permanent export duty could not he established in an exporting country. The problem was a hip; one, but the committee had taken a wise cburse in proposing to make those who had been reaping big profits contribute something to the State. It was known that the farmers of New Zealand had made £3,000,000 more out of their wool this year than in the previous year oil account of the war. It would be a difficult thing to fix the price of meat. Councillor Fletcher: Oh, 110! Councillor Barber: Yes, it is a different tiling to fixing the price of wheat. Wo don't export wheat. Councillor R. A. Wright did not t.hink that the proposal would have any good effect. He admitted, however, that he could not suggest a solution of the problem. He remarked that if carpenters wero scarce, and were badly needed, and combined to get more wages, certain memters of tho council would not be proposing a duty on the carpenters' increased profits. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald: We have heard this evening .a great deal of A councillor: Political speech-making! Councillor Fitzgerald: Call it what I you like balderdash, if you wisli to. Councillor Fitzgerald supported the committee's recommendation. He thought it would strengthen the hands of the Government, and do something towards reducing the cost of living. Councillor W. J. Thompson thought that the council was dabbling in soniotliing which it should leave alone. ] The proposal would not carrv the cnunfcrv any nearer to n solution, was the opinion of Councillor H. Buddie. He thought that the council was exceeding its functions somewhat in making | anv proposal. i Councillor G. Frost thought that alt that was necessary 011 tho part of the council was to pass a general resolution drawing the Government's atten- ' tion to the position. Tho amendment, to refer the matter 1 hack to t'he committee, was carried by 1 seven votes to six.